Soleil Royal 1669 (45cm)

$349.95

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Inspired by the most powerful warship in revitalized French Navy fleet of King Louis XIV, the museum-quality Soleil Royal ship model was built with the finest craftsmanship and attention to detail. This fighting tall ship occupied a distinguished place in French Navy history. Now her unique wooden model ship may similarly occupy a proud position in your office, home or meeting room from which to display her exquisite beauty.

Features of the Soleil Royal model:

Overall dimensions of the model are 45L x 14W x 42H cm 1:135 Scale

This model is fully assembled and ready to display (NOT a kit)

Entirely hand built by using individual wooden planks in hull construction

We use the high quality wood in constructing and ensuring the model will withstand climate change such as changes in humidity and temperature.

Sails are handmade with fine linen and rigging lines that vary in texture

Handcrafted according to scale through original plans and pictures.

This model comes with a solid wood base, a name plate and the history of the Soleil Royal ship.

History

The French SOLEIL ROYAL was named in honour of the Sun KING, Louis XIV. The SOLEIL ROYAL was one of the most powerful warships of her time. She was launched 1669 in Brest and carried 104 cannons. As flagship of the revitalized French Navy, brought into being by Minister of Marine Jean Baptiste Colbert, she was sumptuously decorated with wooden carvings, depicting a variety of motifs emblematic of the French monarch. The taffrail was embellished with a rendering of the sun god drawn across the sky by a team of horses, while the ornate figurehead showed a seahorse flanked by winged maidens.

In July 1690, at the battle of Beachy Head, admiral Tourville led the French fleet of 70 ships to a victory against the united English and Dutch fleet of 57 ships. Two years later the situation was less favorable. On 20 May 1692, at the battles of Barfleur and La Hogue, a French fleet with only 44 ships met the English and Dutch with twice as many ships off Pointe de Barfleur. Some the French ships could escape but the SOLEIL ROYAL was so strongly damaged that she ran aground when trying to escape to Cherbourg. On 23 May 1692 she was destroyed by English fireships.